Pima County Rental Assistance: Where to Get Rent Help and Eviction Support

Pima County rental assistance options at a glance

No single office can solve every rent problem in Pima County. Each source below covers a different situation, and you can usually apply to more than one at the same time.

The pandemic eviction prevention program has ended

From 2021, Pima County and the City of Tucson ran a joint program, Tucson and Pima County Eviction Prevention, that paid back rent and utilities for thousands of households. It was funded by the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The U.S. Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance page states that the ERA2 period of performance has ended and that grantees may no longer use the money to help renters. The ERA2 period ended September 30, 2025.

The statewide Arizona Rental Assistance Program, run by the Arizona Department of Economic Security during the pandemic, was funded the same way and is also over. No new statewide fund has replaced it. Our Arizona rent relief program guide covers what exists in other counties.

Smaller local efforts still appear from time to time. For example, in March 2026 the City of Tucson put a small rental assistance fund in place through the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness, available only through case managers, and local reporting said the money was expected to last only a few weeks. Funds like this open and close quickly, which is why calling 2-1-1 regularly matters.

Community Action Agency help with rent and utilities

Pima County's Community Action Agency, part of the county's Community Assistance Division, is the main public source of one-time rent help today. According to the county, financial assistance may be available for eviction prevention, mortgage payments, move-in costs, utility bills, utility deposits, and utility repair or replacement, along with some special needs. The county also says plainly that rent, mortgage, and utility assistance are limited and depend on funding and federal eligibility rules.

To ask about help, call 520-724-2667, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the line closes from noon to 1 p.m.). County listings describe the help as one-time, first come first served, and generally limited to once in a calendar year. Applicants must live in Pima County and meet income rules, and county materials have also asked for an Arizona photo ID, a source of income, and a way to keep up with next month's bills. Income limits vary by funding source, so ask the intake worker which limit applies to you.

The same agency handles LIHEAP energy help for many county residents. Getting your power bill paid can free up cash for rent, so ask about both on the same call. Our LIHEAP guide explains how energy help works.

State crisis help for families with children

The Arizona Department of Economic Security runs Short-Term Crisis Services for low-income families facing an emergency they cannot cover from their own income. It can pay rent or mortgage to prevent homelessness, emergency shelter, utility payments and deposits, rental deposits, and some job-related needs.

To qualify, you must live in Arizona and have a child under 18 at home who is a U.S. citizen or qualified legal resident. Gross income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, or 150% if the household includes someone 60 or older or a person with a disability. For 2026, 125% of poverty is $34,150 a year for a family of three. Help is limited to once in 12 months and is not guaranteed. In Pima County, you apply through the local community action agency.

Tucson nonprofits and 211

Charities fill many of the gaps that public programs leave. Their funds change month to month, so the best way to find what is open is 2-1-1 Arizona. Dial 2-1-1 or search the site, and ask specifically for rent assistance in Pima County.

Organizations that often come up include:

• The Primavera Foundation lists rent and utility assistance and rapid rehousing among its emergency services. Its resource center is at 702 S. 6th Ave. in Tucson, (520) 623-5111.
• Interfaith Community Services serves the Tucson area and can be reached at (520) 297-6049. Call to ask what financial help is open.
• The Salvation Army runs social service offices in Tucson. Use the Salvation Army location finder and see our Salvation Army rental assistance guide.
• Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona and local churches sometimes help with part of a month's rent.

Most charities pay part of what you owe, not all of it. You may need to combine help from two or three sources, plus what you can pay yourself, to reach the full amount.

Free eviction lawyers and navigators

Pima County created its Emergency Eviction Legal Services program during the pandemic. The county says tenants at or below 80% of area median income may get a free attorney, and navigation help is available to any tenant or landlord in a Pima County eviction case. Navigators can also point you to other help, such as rent funds and job services. Call 520-724-3357 on weekdays.

The program was paid for with federal American Rescue Plan money, and the Board of Supervisors extended it through June 2026. We could not confirm whether funding continues beyond that date, so call to check before you rely on it.

Other free legal resources:

• Southern Arizona Legal Aid represents low-income tenants in Pima County and nearby counties.
• AZLawHelp.org has plain-language guides and a directory of legal aid groups.
• AZ Eviction Help, from the Arizona Bar Foundation, explains the eviction process and options at each stage.
• The Legal Services Corporation's find legal aid tool lists the funded legal aid office for your address.

How an Arizona eviction moves

Arizona evictions can move quickly, which is why it matters to act the day you get a notice. Under Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1368:

• If rent is unpaid, the landlord can give a written notice, and the tenant has 5 days to pay before the landlord can file an eviction case (called a special detainer action).
• Before the case is filed, you can reinstate the lease by paying all past-due rent and any reasonable late fee written in the lease.
• After the case is filed but before judgment, reinstating requires past-due rent, late fees, attorney fees, and court costs.
• After a judgment for the landlord, reinstatement is up to the landlord.

That means paying early is much cheaper than paying late. If an agency has approved help but has not yet paid, get a letter or email saying so and show it to your landlord and, if needed, the judge. Always go to your court date. Missing it usually means the landlord wins automatically. Our Arizona eviction assistance guide has more on court steps.

Longer-term help with housing costs

One-time rent help solves this month. If your rent is simply higher than your income can carry, look at longer-term options too:

• Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing. These cap rent at a share of your income. Waiting lists are long and open only at times, so get on any list you can. See our Housing Choice Voucher program guide.
• SNAP. Food benefits free up cash for rent. For October 2026 through September 2027, the gross income limit for one person is $1,729 a month and the maximum benefit is $306. Check the USDA SNAP eligibility page.
• Unemployment. If you lost work, file with Arizona DES right away; benefits start from the week you file.
• Found money. Old deposits, refunds, and paychecks sometimes sit unclaimed. Search free at unclaimed.org.

Working with your landlord

Most landlords would rather be paid than go to court. A calm, early conversation, followed up in writing, can buy you time:

• Tell your landlord as soon as you know you will be short, not after the due date.
• Offer a specific plan, such as half now and half on the 15th, and put it in writing.
• Share proof that you applied for help, such as a confirmation email or case number.
• Ask whether the landlord will accept payment directly from an agency. Many programs pay the landlord, not you.
• Keep copies of every text, email, notice, and receipt.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

Getting rent help, step by step

1. Check your deadline. Read any notice closely and write down the date. A 5-day notice means you need to move fast.
2. Call the Pima County Community Action Agency at 520-724-2667 about one-time rent and utility help.
3. If you have a child at home, ask the same agency about DES Short-Term Crisis Services.
4. Dial 2-1-1 for charity rent funds, and call Primavera or Interfaith Community Services.
5. Call Emergency Eviction Legal Services at 520-724-3357 if a case has been filed or is likely.
6. Talk to your landlord in writing and share proof of every application.
7. Go to court on your hearing date, even if you think help is coming.

Related guides

• Arizona rent relief program
• Arizona hardship program
• Arizona eviction assistance
• Low income housing with eviction

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Funding, phone numbers, and eligibility rules for local programs change often, so confirm details with the agency before you rely on them. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with Pima County, the City of Tucson, the State of Arizona, or any government agency.